Irvin Philip Wessel

Irvin passed away Monday 1/15/24 after a short illness that complicated his long standing issues from a laryngotomy 15 years ago. He was 85 years old and a walking miracle, having had his surgery videos used to train surgeons worldwide how to successfully treat esophageal cancer.
He was born to Grace Marie King Wessel and Philip Andrew Wessel in Ute, Iowa, the youngest of 4 children. He attended schools in Mooreland, Iowa and later Lincoln, NE where the family had moved.
He joined the Navy at age 17, serving until age 21. He was on the USS Cavalier, a troop transport ship out of San Diego. It was after the Korean conflict and he sailed the SE Asian Seas four times. It was in the Navy he learned to never stop moving or give up, a motto he lived until 1 week prior to death.
He met his future wife, Donna Jean McElravy at Fleet Week in Portland, OR in June 1959. They were married 12-10-65 in Reno and had been married 58 years.
He lived in Salem and worked as a carpenter with his brother-in-law, Dick Highberger, building Sunnyside Campers and later owned Go Guys Golf Station on 13th and Mission Street from 1968-1970. He later worked for Redman Homes in Silverton prior to becoming disabled due to cancer.
He and Donna accumulated several older homes that he would fix up and use as rental properties for their retirement.
He eventually built a home on the Santiam River in Gates for he and Donna to retire in. Sadly after 22 years it burned down in the 2020 Beechie Creek Fire on Labor Day in Gates, Oregon. They were forced to move back to Salem and have lived in retirement facilities since then.
In 2015 Irvin and Donna received the Citizen of the Year award for their many years as supporters of the Canyon Senior Center and the Community.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Philip and Grace Wessel; oldest sister, Marjorie Hanson of Salem, brother Duane Wessel of Lincoln, NE, sons Michael Manley of Portland and Daniel Graham of Anchorage, AK; granddaughter Jenni Pointer Everetts of Turner, OR and great grandson Rex Pointer of Longview, WA.
He is survived by wife Donna of Salem; sister Norma Jean Highberger of Salem, daughter and son-in-law Sharon and James Pointer of Monmouth, OR; sons Patrick Manley of Salem and Jeff Obert and daughter-in-law Kim McBryde of Albany, OR. Five grandchildren; several great-grandsons and 1 great-great grandson. Also several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was a member of Mill City Eagles and formerly Mill City Senior Center, and attended Gates Community Church.
Services are pending & will be announced at a later date.